Waste Permitting Technical Lead

Are you passionate about environmental protection, policy and regulation? Do you want to play a vital role in ensuring that operational activities across United Utilities remain legally compliant, sustainable and future ready? As our Environmental Permitting Lead, you’ll take ownership of how we interpret, manage and act on all waste permitting requirements. You’ll collect, analyse and manage essential water quality data, ensuring that UU has Environment Agency (EA) permits for sludge and waste activities in place to enable it to undertake its core operational activities. You’ll act as the trusted link between the business and the Environment Agency, managing permit payments and ensuring that every invoice is accurate and justified from both a legal and financial perspective. Beyond the transactional, you’ll shape how we approach environmental regulation across the business-offering expert guidance on Environmental Agency policy, consultations and evolving compliance standards.

What you’ll be doing:

• Ensure the business holds the correct waste permits to operate within legal and regulatory frameworks.
• Lead on negotiating, obtaining, and managing environmental permits, including proactive renewal and submission processes.
• Advise on the impact of changes in environmental legislation in relation to sludge and waste activities.
• Collaborate with project teams to align capital schemes with EA regulatory requirements and permit deadlines.
• Monitor EA permits costs and validate charges, providing budget updates to the Sludge and Waste regulatory manager.
• Maintain effective communication with the Environment Agency and internal team to ensure compliance, data accuracy and alignment on regulatory commitments.
• Develop and manage systems and communications to track permits, support regulatory returns, and increase business understanding of permit obligations.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship.

Skills and Experience:

• Full UK driving license - travel to operational sites and meetings as required.
• Demonstrable experience working in a regulatory business or environment, with a solid understanding of compliance and permitting frameworks including IED, MCPD, WML, Waste Exemptions and other Waste permitting activities.
• Strong understanding of sludge treatment and energy assets, particularly in relation to environmental regulation; knowledge of anaerobic digestion, sludge dewatering and other waste management activities is a plus.
• Experience in programme planning and/or project management within a regulated environment.
• Proven ability to influence regulatory discussions and shape permitting procedures and guidance.
• Advanced working knowledge of SharePoint, Excel, and relevant data systems - confident in manipulating data to support reporting and insights.

A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays.

A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover.

Up to 7.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements.

A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme.

MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions.

Best Doctors, Salary Finance, Wealth at Work courses, Deals and discounts, EVolve Car Scheme, Employee Assistance Plan, Mental health first aiders, ShareBuy, Enhanced parental leave schemes.

United Utilities’ (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society. We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves. We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities.

Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of. We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution. We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.